diff --git a/x-pack/plugin/ml/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/TransportDeleteForecastAction.java b/x-pack/plugin/ml/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/TransportDeleteForecastAction.java
index d80bbd1b342..e91f75964fc 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugin/ml/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/TransportDeleteForecastAction.java
+++ b/x-pack/plugin/ml/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/TransportDeleteForecastAction.java
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ public class TransportDeleteForecastAction extends HandledTransportAction<Delete
 
         QueryBuilder query = QueryBuilders.boolQuery().filter(innerBoolQuery);
         request.setQuery(query);
+        request.setRefresh(true);
         return request;
     }
 }